Blue Jackets Acquire D Derrick Walser from Carolina

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired defenseman Derrick Walser from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Mark Flood, club President and General Manager Doug MacLean announced today. Walser has been assigned to the Syracuse Crunch, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Walser, 28, has tallied six goals and 21 assists for 27 points with 56 penalty minutes in 82 career NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has registered 64-125-189 with 256 penalty minutes in 285 career AHL games with Saint John, Syracuse and Albany. He netted one assist and four penalty minutes in six games with Albany this season.

Originally signed by Columbus on Sept. 17, 2001, Walser spent three seasons with the Blue Jackets, including the 2002-03 season when he netted 4-13-17 with 34 penalty minutes in 53 games. He then went on to play two seasons with Eisbaren Berlin and registered 28-38-66 with 263 penalty minutes in 98 career games. In 2004-05 he helped Berlin capture the German League title while ranking third on the club among defensemen in points with 9-14-23. In 2005-06, he led the team in goals (19) and was third in points (43) as Berlin captured its second straight title.

The New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, native racked up 82-173-255 and 295 penalty minutes in 255 career QMJHL games, including a career-high 41-69-110 and 135 penalty minutes in 70 games with Rimouski in 1997-98. In his final major junior season, he was a First Team QMJHL All-Star, Canadian Major Junior First Team All-Star and the Canadian Major Junior Defenseman of the Year. He signed a free agent contract with Calgary in 1998 and spent three years in the Flames organization.

Flood was signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent on August 18, 2005. In eight games with Syracuse this season, he had a goal and an assist with two penalty minutes.

The Blue Jackets return to action on Friday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Game time at Pengrowth Saddledome is 9 p.m. ET with live coverage on FSN Ohio beginning with the IceBreaker pre-game show at 8:30 p.m. Coverage also includes the Blue Jackets Ice Cap post-game show immediately following the game. The game will also be broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship stations WBNS-AM Sports Radio 1460 the Fan and WWCD-FM, CD101.